A petition with over a thousand signatures urges Wokingham Council to improve safety at California Crossroads following recent road changes
Finchampstead: Last year, California Crossroads got a £5.5 million makeover. The intersection between Finchampstead Road and Nine Mile Ride was closed for several months to make it more pedestrian-friendly.
But when it reopened, locals weren’t too happy. They felt the new design made the junction look like a playground and worried it could lead to accidents.
Wokingham Borough Council said the design aimed to slow down drivers and met government standards. However, over a thousand people have now signed a petition asking for a zebra crossing and proper roundabout markings to make it safer.
Conservative Councillor Peter Harper presented the petition to the council, sharing that many residents were concerned about the unusual road markings and the risks they posed.
He pointed out that without standard markings, drivers were confused about how to navigate the junction, and pedestrians didn’t have clear priority.
A recent road safety audit suggested adding proper markings, but the council turned it down, saying the current design was sufficient.
Mark Ashwell, an executive member for business, defended the project, claiming the narrative around the petition was harming local businesses, which had already seen a drop in trade during the construction.
He emphasized the strong community support for local businesses and expressed his commitment to enhancing the area. Meanwhile, Martin Alder, another council member, called the design an innovative solution that the community could take pride in.
